Gmail programme policies

The programme policies below apply to Gmail. The policies play an important role in maintaining a positive experience for everyone using Gmail.

If you use Gmail with a consumer (e.g., @gmail.com) account, please also refer to Google’s Terms of Service for more information. If you’re using an account through work, school or another organisation, terms may apply based on your organisation’s agreement with Google or other policies. Your administrator may be able to provide more information.

We need to curb abuses that threaten our ability to provide these services, and we ask that everyone abide by the policies below to help us achieve this goal. After we are notified of a potential policy violation, we may review the content and take action, including limiting or terminating a user’s access to Google products. If your account is disabled, and you believe it was a mistake, please follow the instructions on this page.

We may take action on accounts that go above storage quota limits. For example, we may prohibit the sending or receiving of messages if you exceed your storage quota. We may also delete content from your account if you fail to reduce your storage or fail to obtain sufficient additional storage. Read more about storage quotas here.

Be sure to check back from time to time, as these policies may change.

Report abuse

If you believe an account has violated our Programme Policies, there are multiple ways to report this:

Make sure to read the policies below to understand how we define abusive behaviour. Google may disable accounts that are found to be in violation of our policies. If your account is disabled, and you believe that it was a mistake, please follow the instructions on this page.

Account inactivity

Use the product to remain active. Activity includes accessing the product or its content at least every 2 years. We may take action on inactive accounts, which may include deleting your messages from the product. Read more here.

Spam and bulk email

Don’t use Gmail to distribute spam or unsolicited commercial emails.

You are not allowed to use Gmail to send emails in violation of the CAN-SPAM Act or other anti-spam laws; to send unauthorised emails via open, third-party servers or to distribute the email addresses of any person without their consent.

You are not allowed to automate the Gmail interface, whether to send, delete or filter emails, in a manner that misleads or deceives users.

Please bear in mind that your definition of an 'unsolicited' or 'unwanted' email may differ from your email recipients’ perception. Exercise judgement when sending emails to a large number of recipients, even if the recipients elected to receive emails from you in the past. When Gmail users mark emails as spam, it increases the likelihood that future messages that you send will also be classified as spam by our anti-abuse systems.

The creation and use of multiple Gmail accounts

Don’t create or use multiple accounts to abuse Google policies, bypass Gmail account limitations, circumvent filters or otherwise subvert restrictions placed on your account. (For example, if you’ve been blocked by another user or have had your Gmail account disabled due to abuse, don’t create a replacement account that engages in similar activity.)

You’re also not allowed to create Gmail accounts by automated means or buy, sell, trade or re-sell Gmail accounts to others.

Malware

Don’t use Gmail to transmit viruses, malware, worms, defects, Trojan horses, corrupted files or any other items of a destructive or deceptive nature. In addition, don’t distribute content that harms or interferes with the operation of networks, servers or other infrastructure belonging to Google or others.

Fraud, phishing and other deceptive practices

You may not access another user’s Gmail account without their explicit permission.

Don’t use Gmail for phishing. Refrain from soliciting or collecting sensitive data, including, but not limited to, passwords, financial details and national insurance numbers.

Don’t send messages to trick, mislead or deceive other users into sharing information under false pretenses. This includes impersonating another person, company or entity with the intent to deceive or mislead.

Child safety

Google has a zero-tolerance policy against child sexual abuse imagery. If we become aware of such content, we will report it to the US National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, as required by law. We may also take disciplinary action, including termination, against the Gmail accounts of those involved.

Google prohibits the grooming of children using Gmail, defined as a set of actions aimed at establishing a connection with a child to lower the child's inhibitions in preparation for sexual abuse, trafficking or other exploitation.

If you believe that a child is in danger of or has been subject to abuse, exploitation or been trafficked, contact your local law enforcement immediately.

If you have already made a report to law enforcement and still need help, or you have concerns that a child is being or was endangered using Gmail, you can report the behaviour to Google using this form. Please remember that you can always block any person that you do not want to be contacted by on Gmail.

Copyright

Respect copyright laws. Don’t infringe on the intellectual property rights of others, including patent, trademark, trade secret or other proprietary rights. You are also not allowed to encourage or induce others to violate intellectual property rights. You can report copyright infringement to Google by using this form.

Harassment

Don’t use Gmail to harass, intimidate or threaten others. Anyone found to be using Gmail for these purposes may have their account disabled.

Illegal activity

Keep it legal. Don’t use Gmail to promote, organise or engage in unlawful activities.